In the scene between Tremendous, Clinket and the Players; that critick talks in the usual stile of _Dennis_--But in this speech of--
_There is not in all this sodom of ignorance, ten righteous criticks_--The triumvir makes a little too free with the old testament.
Those letters that are given to the doctor in disguise of his footman, are something like several passages in Molier's _Cecu imaginaire_. That sign'd _Wyburn_, I believe I need not inform you, is the most noted bawd in London. The character of Lubomirski, may be found (at least something like it) in _Lopez de Vega_; but his water of virginity, you may find something very like that in a play call'd the _Changeling_, written by Middleton and Rowley in conjunction, printed 1653.
Their Mummy may be found in a little piece in the _Theatre Italien_, call'd the mummies of Egypt; and I believe the Nile furnish'd the Crocodile.
I begin to be tir'd my friend, and, therefore let me tell you, Mrs. Townley proving no wife to Fossile, may put you in mind of _Ben Johnson's_ silent woman, and _Congreve's_ old batchelor.
But what of all this! who would search for what I have done, but such a compliant puppy as myself, to please one who does not care what trouble I take; but for taking hints from the French, Spanish, or any of our own celebrated authors, especially if they are improved upon, as in justice these are. I will not esteem a crime--How many whole plays have we translated from the celebrated Moliere, that every winter gives pleasure to a British audience? I shall never ask my cook of what ingredients my dishes are compos'd, so my viands are wholsome and well relish'd: And this Three Hours after Marriage, in my opinion, had not the satire been pointed at particular people, might have furnis'd out a repast for many winters Theatric nights.
_I Desire you will publish this short account I send you, if you think fit, since it cannot more properly be tacked to any other work--It is wrote by a person who is still alive, and tho' a woman, intimate with the poets of this century, and consequently with most of the theatrical persons worthy notice; therefore I have sent you a careful copy from the original, by the gentleman's consent it was wrote to._